Today, we’re excited to be adding the Titanium Pocket Tool into the ITS Store! The TPT is the perfect addition to your every day carry! Made from Grade 5 Titanium Alloy, this pocket tool lets you leave the bulky multi-tool at home and stop using your defensive knife to open boxes.

Its Stainless Steel Inserts are held in place with an internal magnet, eliminating noisy pocket rattle. The inserts are sharp enough to cut tape while still being “finger safe.” The reverse side of the inserts can even be used as a camp fork!

The TPT also accepts standard utility razor blades (not included) if you desire a sharp cutting edge. At 3” long, 1” tall and only .157” thick, the Titanium Pocket Tool fits almost anywhere, including the famous “fifth pocket” on standard jeans.

]]>http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/its-information/missing-piece-edc-introducting-titanium-pocket-tool/feed/2Every Day Carry: How Much is Too Much?http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/every-day-carry-how-much-is-too-much/
http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/every-day-carry-how-much-is-too-much/#commentsMon, 14 Mar 2016 17:29:00 +0000http://www.itstactical.com/?p=26940Follow a forum or Facebook group long enough and you’ll eventually see a thread dealing with Every Day Carry. In... View Article

Follow a forum or Facebook group long enough and you’ll eventually see a thread dealing with Every Day Carry. In the past few years, these types of posts have become extremely popular as everyone is eager to see what’s in people’s pockets. Posted loadouts range from simple to “pack mule” status and inevitably begs the question, “how do you carry all of that?”

In some posts, you’ll see several knives, multiple spare magazines and even spare handguns. While those posters are quick to point out the phrase, “two is one and one is none,” is that train of thought really necessary for everything? Can you truly say that each item in your EDC is absolutely necessary?

What are your requirements?

To figure out what’s overkill, first look at the requirements of the items you carry on a daily basis. Are you headed out into the wilderness, away from civilization and cell phone reception? Or are you like many us, commuting to work in your personal vehicle where you’ll be +- 50 ft. from it during the whole day? As Bryan mentioned in his leveling up article, it may not be necessary to carry “everything but the kitchen sink” in your pockets and waistband if you have additional supplies somewhat close at hand.

You need to decide what you’re preparing for and what tools you’ll need to accomplish what may come your way. Think realistically about those potential situations as well. Don’t plan your EDC around a multi-day survival scenario, while simultaneously slipping on your flip flops on the way out the door.

Those of us that carry handguns do so because we believe that we may face a situation requiring the use of deadly force. However, many of us carrying guns don’t carry equipment necessary for treating a gunshot wound or other medical emergency. Now ask yourself, which situation are you more likely to encounter?

The Latest and Greatest

Something I’ve seen sweeping the industry right now is the all in one EDC tool. Usually small enough to fit into a pocket, these tools are designed to offer multiple uses in place of a full size tool. While this is great in theory, many of these tools seem to be oriented more toward the “cool factor” than actual application. For most of us, it would be just as fast to pull out a small tool roll and retrieve a full size tool from our bag or vehicle than attempt to “make it work” with a smaller pocket device.

While this may seem like a jab at these smaller tools, it’s really just an observation that an item like that is taking up space in your EDC and could be dedicated to a more useful item. You only have so many pockets and so much space for your EDC, that is unless you want to wear your 5.11 Tuxedo and stand out like a Ripstop Nylon, loop covered, tactical beacon.

Lightweight backpackers have known for years that ounces equal pounds and pounds equal pain. Every item you add into your EDC adds weight, no matter how small. Items you carry should be ones that get used frequently, otherwise they’re just taking up space and adding unnecessary weight. While it’s cool to have the latest and greatest gadgets, if they don’t realistically contribute to the capability of your EDC, are they really worth it?

Two is One and One is None

It’s always good to have a backup option. Whether you’re planning an event or using a tool, having a replacement ready to go saves time and headaches. However, let’s look at how this factors into your EDC? Let’s look at knives, specifically. With proper maintenance and sharpening, a good knife will last longer than the user. So is it really necessary to carry another knife with you? Wouldn’t it be a better option to keep a backup knife in a place like your bag or your vehicle?

For those that carry handguns, spare magazines are extremely useful when it comes time to deploy that handgun. However, where do you draw the line at how many to have with you? There’s an old joke in which a man from Texas attends a wedding while wearing his pistol in a belt holster. A lady next to him asks, “Sir, are you expecting trouble?” “No Ma’am,” he replies, “If I was expecting trouble, I’d have brought my rifle.”

If someone came to you right now and told you that you’d be in a gunfight tomorrow, what weapon would you take and how many spare magazines would you have? Most likely, it would be the biggest gun you’ve got and all the magazines you have, including the ones purchased that very night.

Unfortunately, we don’t get a 24 hour warning on those kind of situations, so you have to draw your own line for what’s acceptable for you. Another great point made by Bryan in his leveling up article was using the immediately available firearm to fight to a bag or vehicle containing more ammunition or larger firearms.

Train Like You Fight, Fight Like You Train

Carrying a handgun or a medical kit won’t mean anything without the knowledge and understanding of how to use them. Rather than sinking several hundred dollars into that new gun, knife or other EDC toy, consider heading to a training class in your area. Knowledge is an important part of your EDC that doesn’t take up weight or pocket space.

Practice makes perfect when it comes to EDC, so ensure that you’re also getting the necessary practice with the items you have, including drawing from a holster or deploying a medical kit. If your tourniquet is still in the plastic, you’ve got work to do.

No one is perfect and no one’s EDC is either. It all comes down to how you use the items you carry and how effective they really are. With all that being said, below is a photo of my actual EDC, a bit stripped down from the photo above.

What’s in your EDC? We’d love to hear what considerations you take into account with your EDC, in the comments below.

If you’re anything like me, you love Every Day Carry photos, forums and discussions. Whether I’m posting a photo or just browsing other people’s, I enjoy seeing what’s being carried since I’m always on the lookout for better gear. However, I never thought that from one simple online photo, someone could gain access to my home, relative’s homes or even my vehicle.

Technology is getting better every day. Cameras, computers, phones and even vehicles are getting smarter and faster. While we’re not too far from a future of self-driving cars and robot butlers, there’s one technology that’s painfully behind the times; key technology. Take a look at your key ring, how many keys do you have with only cuts for traditional one sided pin and tumbler locks? For me, it was four out of seven.

New Technology vs. Old Technology

One of the first things people will tell you after posting an EDC photo is to blur out your keys. Their claim is that someone could take the key image from the photo and make a functional copy. Intrigued, I wanted to find out if I was able to do exactly that. I chose to use an old Schlage deadbolt I had laying around after changing my front door lock a few months back. This is a single sided lock with standard (not security) pins and I knew this would be the most simple key to attempt this with.

I staged an EDC photo containing a few items including a small ring of keys made up of some training lock keys and my Schlage deadbolt key, then set out to copy my own key using only a computer, printer and common tools.

Making a Key from a Photo

Using the photo above, (taken with my iPhone 6 Plus) I isolated the Schlage key with Photoshop and singled it out. After using the blank key to measure scale in the photo, I was able to print a blacked out version of the key that I could use to trace around for my blank. I printed the key photo out on a thicker card stock, as I thought that printer paper might not be durable enough to withstand the tracing and matching I would need to do.

After printing the key out, I carefully cut around the image with scissors and used that outline to trace the pattern onto the blank key with a small sharpie. I was relying on the fact that the Schlage lock would have a fairly loose tolerance to accommodate worn keys or slight imperfections in manufacturing.

Once I had a rough outline of the pin heights on the key, I secured the key into the vice and started to file the grooves using a triangular file. The triangular file was extremely useful as it made the much needed “V” shape for the key. I paid careful attention and moved slowly like a barber, I could take more off, but couldn’t add more back.

With the rough outline finished, I began making filing very lightly in an attempt to round out the sharp edges. The most difficult sections of the key to file were the smaller grooves at the front and middle of the key. The file I was using was almost too large to make the precise shapes that were required.

Throughout the process, I continued to match my cutout and key blank together to see where I needed to remove more material. After about ten minutes, I had a finished key that I compared to the original.

The two keys looked very similar but my filed key obviously had rougher edges. To my surprise, when I inserted the filed key into the deadbolt, it opened right up. There was a little bit of catch when turning the cylinder initially, but it did open the lock up. After a few more times inserting it and turning, the burs wore down and the hang up disappeared. It now functions exactly like the original key.

Real World Application

This scenario was set up as a “best possible condition” scenario. The key in the photo above is flat on a contrasting color table, allowing for a mostly perfect outline to be isolated. While that might be the case, I have definitely seen photos similar to this in the past and the isolation process I used took about five minutes. With more time, someone could attempt to use an angled photo of a key to create a copy. The purpose of this was to see if it would even be possible and after attempting it, the answer is a definite yes.

So what can you do to combat this technique? Rather than using a high-tech photo editing program, consider the low-tech option of just excluding your keys from photos. Especially considering the software that’s available to remove blurring and masking from photos.

For those that voice the argument, “Someone is welcome to try and copy my key, they still don’t know where I live,” consider the amount of information that is available online today. EXIF Data from photos, as well as social media profiles like Facebook and Instagram may give would-be robbers more information that you’d think. The safest bet is keeping your keys under lock and key.

]]>http://www.itstactical.com/skillcom/lock-picking/pocket-dump-could-your-edc-photo-allow-criminals-to-break-into-your-home/feed/77An Every Day Carry Manifestohttp://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/an-every-day-carry-manifesto/
http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/an-every-day-carry-manifesto/#commentsThu, 09 Jul 2015 15:44:25 +0000http://www.itstactical.com/?p=23641There’s something to preparing for having nothing, but carrying everything you need. Minimalist is up for interpretation when it comes to... View Article

There’s something to preparing for having nothing, but carrying everything you need. Minimalist is up for interpretation when it comes to your every day carry.

What I mean by this is two fold in terms of the possibilities that may confront you in your next fight. Let me first define “fight” in the context I’m using it, because it’s completely ambiguous. Your next fight might be one in the traditional sense, which requires you to defend yourself or those around you. It might be an ambush that catches you off guard and requires you to use skills over dedicated equipment to prevail.

The fight might also be overcoming adversity, starting a fire, or even the fight you’re having with the box that won’t open. I know that last thing sounds a little silly, but in the context of your EDC, all these situations can apply.

Back to the inherent interpretation of EDC. People often criticize those that carry a lot in their pockets and that’s completely acceptable. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the matter, as well as what they choose to carry.

You certainly won’t always be able to carry a gun, or even a knife in some situations. Your training should reflect this and if it doesn’t, you’re spending too much time and money shooting and not enough on training the other disciplines that are important to surviving any situation. Yes, this includes knowing how to tie a knot or start a fire without a lighter too, but I digress.

What’s in Your Pockets?

While knowing how to properly defend yourself without tools is important, why put yourself at a disadvantage from the beginning? Yes, a pocket full of “stuff” can often be a burden, but your situation and clothing will dictate the level of “discomfort” you’re willing to tolerate. Set yourself up for success in whatever way you’re comfortable with.

Carrying a gun, knife, wallet, medical kit, tourniquet, keys, pen, flashlight and all the other litter that might mean “prepared” to you, can be completely ludicrous to the person who will more than likely find themselves in a position of needing those items one day. They’re the same people that you carry a gun to protect and a medical kit to save.

Those who chastise people for what they choose to carry are either self conscious about their own preparedness, or they’re simply those who expect others to come to their rescue when disaster strikes.

]]>http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/an-every-day-carry-manifesto/feed/33Choosing Your EDC: Ditch the Latest Fad and Find What Workshttp://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/choosing-your-edc-ditch-the-latest-fad-and-find-what-works/
http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/choosing-your-edc-ditch-the-latest-fad-and-find-what-works/#commentsWed, 03 Jun 2015 21:01:52 +0000http://www.itstactical.com/?p=24323Up until a few years ago, I never really put thought into what I carried around with me every day... View Article

Up until a few years ago, I never really put thought into what I carried around with me every day or why I carried it. Now I have a loadout that suits my needs and I wanted to share some of the things I’ve learned along the way. This is mainly focused on a Level 1 EDC, but several of the principles can be applied across all levels.

Choosing Gear

What Do I Need?

It’s easy to look at “celebrities,” retired members of the Military, or someone with thousands of YouTube subscribers and think, “Oh, he carries (X), I want that!” Rather than this train of thought, you need to find items that work for you. Items that fit you and work well in your environment.

What works for a SEAL in Afghanistan might not be the best fit for you. For me, an example of this is appendix carry. I love the idea of carrying this way, as it makes concealing and drawing very easy, but I’m a big guy and it’s very uncomfortable. It just doesn’t work for me, so I don’t carry that way. Also, you need to decide what you want to get out of a particular piece of gear.

Do you want an external safety on your carry gun? A single stack or double stack mag? How many lumens do you want on your flashlight? Do you want an automatic opening knife or a regular folder? Based on your reasoning and research, figure out what you want and get something that fits those parameters.

Do I Really Have a Use for This?

One of the most important questions you can ask yourself when deciding on what to carry, is whether it’s useful or not. Before you add something to your loadout, ask yourself, “Do I really have a use for this, or is it just something cool to have in my pocket?” There’s no point in carrying around something you don’t have a use for.

Try to find single items that have multiple uses. A good example of this would be a Leatherman, or a knife that also has a glass breaker on it. Items like these will help save valuable real estate in your pockets.

Try and Try Again

Don’t be afraid to try out different items. You may buy three of four great holsters or flashlights before you find the one that works for you. Fortunately, there’s a market for used gear like holsters, flashlights and other items. So if you don’t like something, put it on eBay, resell it and get something else.

Quality Over Quantity

Everyone knows the old saying: “Two is one and one is none.” Be careful with this mindset when it comes to EDC. Would it be nice to always have a backup for everything I’m carrying? Yes, but that’s not practical for me in everyday life. If you buy quality gear, it’s more likely to work when you need it and you won’t need that backup item.

A Few Items to Consider

Non Weapon-Mounted Flashlight

A reliable pocket flashlight can be an invaluable tool at times. Whether you’re walking to your car in a dark parking lot, or assessing a potential threat in a low-light situation, a flashlight can be a great asset. I specify “Non Weapon-Mounted” because while a weapon-mounted light can be a great tool in a low light shooting scenario, it can be dangerous if used during everyday tasks.

With a weapon-mounted light, every time you point the flashlight at something, you’re also pointing the muzzle at it. This can be very unsafe and get you into some serious trouble if you’re not justified in also drawing your firearm. Check out this article on ITS for more information on every day carry defensive light usage.

Cell Phone

I know that this is a given for most of us, but don’t leave home without it. Don’t leave your cell phone in your car when you’re running into the gas station. It should always be on you. Your phone is an endless resource of knowledge, a lifeline to call for help and a great way to keep up with current events as they are unfolding via social media.

Also make sure your phone is in a solid case that will protect it from accidental drops and weather. A Lifeproof Case is an excellent choice. It’s pricey, but I believe it’s a worthwhile investment.

Legal Defense Program

There are several law firms offering coverage for responsibly armed citizens. Basically, you pay a subscription every month to be a part of their program and when/if you are involved in a defensive shooting, they provide an attorney to represent you in civil or criminal proceedings. I am a member of Texas Law Shield and would highly recommend them as they have excellent customer service.

Mindset/Planning

Be Mentally Prepared

Maintain a good level of situational awareness. (This means don’t walk around with your eyes on your News Feed all the time.) Be aware of what’s going on around you.

Be Physically Prepared

Have a good working knowledge of your gear. Know how to clear malfunctions in your firearm and how to use your trauma kit if you carry one. If not, why don’t you?

Train with what you carry.

Be consistent in what you carry, don’t switch out your gear all the time. Of course things can change as frequently as the weather, or different dress codes, but try to have consistent loadouts for each situation. Figure out what works for you when you wear a suit, heavy clothes in the winter, or shorts and a t-shirt in the summer and stick with that.

Be in good shape so that you can run when you need to run and fight when you need to fight.

Blend In

Let’s be honest, we all love gear. We love velcro, tactical pants, morale patches and coyote everything. Unfortunately in a public place like a mall or restaurant, these things can make you stick out like a sore thumb. Most likely, “tactical” is not “practical” in your everyday life. Wear regular clothes and be a regular guy until the situation dictates otherwise.

Pick Your Battles

This is something my dad has always taught me. This especially applies if you’re taking on the responsibility of carrying a concealed firearm. Always be aware of situations that are unfolding around you, but don’t look for an opportunity to get into a fight or be a “hero.”

Having a Concealed Handgun License does NOT give you the right to “play cop” and interfere every time you see a couple arguing or 2 guys fighting outside a bar. Fate may throw a situation your way in which someone absolutely needs your help, but don’t go searching for it. To quote Matt Graham of Graham Combat, “There’s no reason to fight a fight that I don’t have to. For personal security, the most tactically advantageous part of an engagement is disengagement.”

Editor-in-Chief’s Note: Matt F. has worked in Law Enforcement/Corrections for 5 years and is a Defensive Tactics Instructor for his department. He is also an avid musician.

]]>http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/choosing-your-edc-ditch-the-latest-fad-and-find-what-works/feed/48Don’t Be an EDC Troll: Carry What You Need to Prevailhttp://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/dont-be-an-edc-troll-carry-what-you-need-to-prevail/
http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/dont-be-an-edc-troll-carry-what-you-need-to-prevail/#commentsTue, 17 Mar 2015 21:20:12 +0000http://www.itstactical.com/?p=23802There’s something to preparing for having nothing, but carrying everything you need. People often criticize those that carry a lot... View Article

There’s something to preparing for having nothing, but carrying everything you need.

People often criticize those that carry a lot in their pockets and that’s completely acceptable. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion on the matter, as well as what they choose to carry.

It’s a fact that you’re not always going to be able to carry a gun, or even a knife in some situations and your training should reflect being able to prevail under these conditions. This isn’t some ploy to say you don’t need those items, or not to train with them.

However, if at any point in your self analysis, you realize that all your training time and money has been spent on, say shooting classes for example, you’re spending too much time focusing on just one aspect of self defense and self preservation. Yes, important skills to train include knowing how to tie a knot or start a fire without a lighter too, but I digress.

There has to be a balance and I’d argue that what you carry on a daily basis should also support this complete picture of your skill-sets and give you the physical tools to increase your odds. Minimalism is up for interpretation.

Leveling Up

To use a video game analysis, think of your EDC (every day carry) as supporting your transition to the next level.

Level 1

With what’s in your pockets, think of this as Level 1, you should be able to survive the immediate threat at hand. Those same materials, no matter how minimalist, should also support your “level up” to your bag. Whether this is a backpack, messenger bag or a briefcase doesn’t matter. These kinds of containers make sense to most people who commute, due to their versatility and portability.

Level 2

Your bag, being Level 2, should not only hold those larger items you need on a daily basis to do your work, but also the bigger tools that support your level up to your vehicle. Because a bag is something you’d potentially set down during the day, you have to realistically think there’s times when you’ll be away from it, hence why it’s listed on a separate level.

Level 3

Next up is your vehicle, or Level 3. Contents at this level can be as extensive as the space available to fill, of course carrying around too much weight starts to affect gas mileage. These items give you the means to survive away from your home, so thinking about the contents here in that perspective is time well spent. An aspect of this, outfitting your vehicle with a winter emergency kit, was recently covered on ITS and I’d highly recommend reading that article if you haven’t yet.

Level 4

Level 4 is your home, your castle, the location you can hopefully survive from for a significant amount of time. Again, the items in this location are only limited by the available space. A good exercise here is to think of your power being shut off and not being able to leave your house. What will you and your family need to make it through? A step further could be moving to a secondary location, or Level 5, if you’re forced to evacuate your home.

Break down all these levels for yourself and look at what you “carry” in each level as building blocks, increasing your odds and building in redundancy where applicable.

I’ve also heard this as, “you carry a gun so you can fight to your vehicle and you have what you need in your vehicle to fight to your house.” I personally like looking at it more from the leveling up approach and having the right tools at my disposal in each level to support my skill-sets.

Increasing Your Odds

While knowing how to properly defend yourself without “tools” on your person is important, just be sure you’re properly analyzing the disadvantages in doing so and the inherent risks involved given your own skill-sets. Yes, a pocket full of “stuff” can often be a burden, but your situation and clothing should always dictate the level of “discomfort” you’re willing to tolerate.

Carrying a gun, knife, wallet, trauma kit, tourniquet, keys, pen, flashlight and the other litter that might mean “prepared” to you, is completely ludicrous to the person who will more than likely find themselves in a position of needing those items one day.

The thing is, I carry those things for them and they don’t even know it. My gun is for my protection, that of my family and especially those around me. I’m also the last person I plan for my medical kit to be used on, but it’s there for someone else to use on me, too. I’ve often joked that I should EDC a shovel to dig people’s heads out of the sand too.

Those who chastise people for what they choose to carry may either be self conscious about their ill-preparedness, or confident that others will come save them when disaster strikes. Don’t worry, we have your back.

]]>http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/dont-be-an-edc-troll-carry-what-you-need-to-prevail/feed/49Show Off What You Carry Every Day for a Chance to Win a $50 ITS Gift Certificate! *Update*http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/its-information/show-off-what-you-carry-every-day-for-a-chance-to-win-a-50-its-gift-certificate/
http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/its-information/show-off-what-you-carry-every-day-for-a-chance-to-win-a-50-its-gift-certificate/#commentsMon, 15 Sep 2014 23:24:28 +0000http://www.itstactical.com/?p=20929Update: Read below for the winner announcement. This contest will last through the end of October, so everyone has plenty... View Article

This contest will last through the end of October, so everyone has plenty of time to get their submissions in. What’s up for grabs? The winning entry will receive a $50 Gift Certificate good towards anything in the ITS Store!

Why Share?

Simply put, emptying your pockets provides an inventory of what you’re carrying on your person and allows you to take a look at what you have at your disposal. For some, these daily carried items don’t change but a lot of us are continuously tweaking and modifying what we carry. Everyone you meet knows something that you don’t and while many of the items we carry are a matter of personal preference, take a look at what someone else is using and see if it could work for you as well.

Contest Update!

Congrats to tricitydown for winning this months EDC contest! Thanks everyone for sending your submissions in and if you didn’t win this time, keep checking back for more contests in the future!

How To Enter

To enter, simply join our Forum (if you’re not a member already) and post up your photo in this topic with a brief description of your EDC. At the end of October, we’ll select a winner and their photo will be posted on the ITS Tactical homepage along with the announcement.

Tips and Info

Some good questions have been brought up in the last contest and we want to address them here.

Q.What is “everyday carry” and what can be included?

A. Long story short, everyday carry is anything you carry daily on your person. Items on your wrist, belt or in your pockets are all fair game. You may even carry something in your hat. As an example though, this contest does not include items carried in your EDC bag.

Q.How are these photos judged?

A. ITS HQ will judge each entry based on creativity and quality. If you have a feeling people may not believe that you can carry as much as you’re showing, it might be a good idea to share “how” or “where” each item is carried. Get creative with your photo and work to make it as high quality as possible. If you’re looking for a few basics tips on how to take better EDC photos, visit this thread in our Forum.

Q.I’ve noticed that many previous winners have firearms in their photos. If I can’t carry legally in my state, does not having a firearm reduce my chances of winning?

A. We know the laws vary greatly based on location. Showing a firearm does not add, nor detract from your chances of winning this contest.

Q.Does having an ITS sticker or product in the photo boost my chances of winning?

A. While we love seeing our gear in action, it won’t have any effect on our judging, honest.

If you’re familiar with a past article I wrote on the TiBolt Pen from Brian Fellhoelter, you’ll understand how exciting it is to help get the word out about his newest Kickstarter project, the TiBolt ReLeaded. Just like the TiBolt Pen, The TiBolt Pencil is Made in America out of 100% Titanium. I’ve been lucky enough to have had the TiBolt Pencil since Brian graciously gave me a one of the prototypes at SHOT Show this year, complete with an engraved ITS logo.

Featuring a refillable 0.7mm lead cartridge made in Germany by Schmidt, the TiBolt ReLeaded takes writing with a mechanical pencil to the next level. Primarily what’s made me really love the pencil version of the TiBolt is that I’ve grown to love the pen version so much. This includes the German Schmidt ink refills I was introduced to when I bought a TiBolt through Brian’s Kickstarter project in 2012. Being the exact same fit in my hand as the TiBolt and retaining all the great features I’ll get into below, has made me truly enjoy the TiBolt ReLeaded.

I can’t give the quality of Brian’s work a better recommendation than the fact that I loved the TiBolt so much that I put them in the stockings of everyone at ITS last Christmas. The quality of the TiBolt ReLeaded is made with the same exquisite detail and craftsmanship as the pen and while many of you might dismiss this as an expensive indulgence, I know that the TiBolt will last me the rest of my life, it’s that well made. Of course you’ll have to replace ink and pencil lead once in awhile.

Just like I mentioned in my TiBolt pen article, I’ve never been a fan of all the so called “tactical pens” out on the market and really don’t lump the TiBolt in with these at all. I view the TiBolt as exactly what it is, an overbuilt bolt-action 100% titanium writing instrument that’s not marketed as anything more.

Features

The biggest difference between the TiBolt pen and the TiBolt ReLeaded is that the pen features a true bolt action that locks in the ink cartridge to the writing position. The pencil bolt action pays out more lead when you depress it, just like a traditional mechanical pencil, so there’s not as much movement in the bolt action on the TiBolt ReLeaded.

Every single part of the TiBolt ReLeaded with the exception of the pencil mechanism, spring, O-ring and stylus nib is 100% Titanium. The TiBolt body is made from Grade 9, 3AL-2.5V Titanium and the other parts are Grade 5, 6AL-4V. It’s right around 5 1/2″ in length (1/8″ longer if the stylus nib is used) and 7/16″ in diameter. The weight is 1.5 ounces with a stonewash finish.

The included and optional captive-silicone stylus nib can be affixed to the end of the TiBolt by removing the two torx screws (these are also Titanium) that hold the pocket clip on and removing the flat end cap. The end cap and the stylus nib carrier interface with the torx screws to secure them to the pencil body.

While the pocket clip is very sturdy and has never bent on me, I do wish it was secured a bit higher up like I mentioned during my review on the pen. It just seems to stick up fairly high clipped to a shirt pocket, though it’s only about 3/4 of an inch. With the added stylus nib it’s nearly a full inch above. That’s honestly just an aside and doesn’t take away from the functionality at all.

The Schmidt Feinminen-System pencil mechanism used in the TiBolt ReLeaded is very unique, featuring a simple plunger-style endcap that’s secure but easy to pull off to refill with 0.7mm lead. It threads into the removable tip of the TiBolt and screwing it back in to secure it is straightforward and simple. Even if the Schmidt mechanism were to fail it could easily be replaced.

Notes

As of today, there’s 21 days left on the TiBolt ReLeaded Kickstarter project and if you’re after one, I’d suggest getting in as a backer. It may be sometime before they’re available again, as I know Brian will have his hands full with this run, which was already funded just hours after it launched.

I’m glad to see all the success Brian has had with not only his Kickstarter projects, but as a phenomenal knife maker as well. His attention to detail, craftsmanship and products are American manufacturing at its finest.

]]>http://www.itstactical.com/gearcom/edc/tibolt-releaded-an-american-made-bolt-action-titanium-pencil-from-brian-fellhoelter-available-now/feed/3ITS TacticalShow Off Your Everyday Carry for a Chance to Win a $50 ITS Gift Certificate *Update*http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/its-information/show-off-your-everyday-carry-for-a-chance-to-win-a-50-its-gift-certificate/
http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/its-information/show-off-your-everyday-carry-for-a-chance-to-win-a-50-its-gift-certificate/#commentsWed, 12 Feb 2014 22:02:09 +0000http://www.itstactical.com/?p=17891We’ve received a lot of great entries in this contest all thanks to everyone who shared pictures of their gear!... View Article

We’ve received a lot of great entries in this contest all thanks to everyone who shared pictures of their gear! To see the two winners, scroll down to the bottom and check out their submissions and stay tuned to more contests like this in the future!

We saw so many great submissions in our last EDC contest that we wanted to run another one! This contest will last through the end of March, so everyone has plenty of time to get their submissions in. What’s up for grabs? Two well prepared individuals will both win a $50 Gift Certificate good towards anything in the ITS Store!

Instead of posting a photo and description of your everyday carry in the Forum like our previous contests, to be eligible this time, you’ll need to add your EDC photo to the ITS Tactical EDC Flickr group. Even with all of the awesome photos that were submitted last time, only new photos will count for this contest.

Why Share?

Emptying your pockets simply provides an inventory of what you’re carrying, allowing you to take a look at what you have at your disposal. Maybe these items never change, but the majority of us are continuously modifying what we carry daily. Necessary items and minimalism don’t always go hand in hand and it often helps to have the input of others. Everyone you meet knows something that you don’t and while many of the items we carry are a matter of personal preference, take a look at what someone else is using and see if it could work for you as well.

To kick things off, here’s what Bryan’s EDC currently consists of. This is also everything that’s in the main photo above.

Tips and Info

Some good questions have been brought up in the last contest and we want to address them here.

Q. What is “everyday carry” and what can be included?

A. Long story short, everyday carry is anything you carry daily on your person. Items on your wrist, belt or in your pockets are all fair game. You may even carry something in your hat. As an example though, this contest does not include items carried in your EDC bag.

Q. How are these photos judged?

A. ITS HQ will judge each entry based on reality, creativity and quality. If you have a feeling people may not believe that you can carry as much as you’re showing, it might be a good idea to share “how” or “where” each item is carried. Get creative with your photo and work to make it as high quality as possible. If you’re looking for a few basics tips on how to take better EDC photos, visit this thread in our Forum.

Q. I’ve noticed that many previous winners have firearms in their photos. If I can’t carry legally in my state, does not having a firearm reduce my chances of winning?

A. We know the laws vary greatly based on location. Showing a firearm does not add, nor detract from your chances of winning this contest.

Q. Does having an ITS sticker or product in the photo boost my chances of winning?

A. While we love seeing our gear in action, it won’t have any effect on our judging, honest engine.

How to Enter

Take a photo of the gear that you carry daily and add it to the ITS Flickr EDC Group. Be sure to list a breakdown of each item in your kit. That’s it!

Past Winners

To give you an idea on what the past winning photos have looked like, here’s a few from our previous contests.

Now that you get the idea, lay out your gear, take a photo and add your submission to the Flickr Group before the end of March. If you need help adding your photos to the Flickr group, check out this tutorial in our Forum.

]]>http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/its-information/show-off-your-everyday-carry-for-a-chance-to-win-a-50-its-gift-certificate/feed/7Turn out Your Pockets for a Chance to Win a $50 ITS Gift Certificate *UPDATE*http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/its-information/turn-out-your-pockets-for-a-chance-to-win-a-50-its-gift-certificate/
http://www.itstactical.com/centcom/its-information/turn-out-your-pockets-for-a-chance-to-win-a-50-its-gift-certificate/#commentsFri, 03 Jan 2014 18:02:02 +0000http://www.itstactical.com/?p=17084Update: The contest is now closed. Scroll down to see the winning photo! It’s time again for another “show what... View Article

Update: The contest is now closed. Scroll down to see the winning photo!

It’s time again for another “show what you carry” contest! What’s up for grabs? One lucky and well prepared individual will win a $50 Gift Certificate good for anything in the ITS Store.

Instead of posting a photo and description of your everyday carry in the Forum like our previous contests, to be eligible this time, you’ll need to add your EDC photo to the ITS Tactical EDC Flickr group.

Why share?

Emptying your pockets simply provides an inventory of what you’re carrying, allowing you to take a look at what you have at your disposal. Maybe these items never change but the majority of us are continuously modifying what we carry daily. Necessary items and minimalism don’t always go hand in hand and it often helps to have the input of others. Everyone you meet knows something that you don’t and while many of the items we carry are a matter of personal opinion, take a look at what someone else is using and see if it could work for you as well.

Now that you get the idea, lay out your gear, take a photo and add your submission to the Flickr Group before the end of the month. If you need help adding your photos to the Flickr group, check out this tutorial in our Forum.

Contest Update

We saw some truly amazing entries for this contest which made selecting one winner extremely difficult. In fact, when we got together to judge these, we just had to pick another two for runner ups. Each runner up will receive a $25 ITS Gift Certificate and we encourage you to keep posting to the Flickr Group.